Australia skipper Michael Clarke has called for umpire referrals to be used in every Test match or not at all after controversy shrouded day three of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney.

After both sides were accused of playing the system, Clarke defended both his own player Phillip Hughes and England's Ian Bell after referalls proved Hughes did not take a catch and Bell did not get an edge.

Hughes claimed a catch to dismiss Alastair Cook on 99 - he went on to score 189 - but the replay showed the ball had bounced inches ahead of him while Bell was initially given out by Aleem Dar but reprieved by the video umpire.

Did I catch that? Phillip Hughes of Australia claims the wicket of Alastair Cook before the batsman was reprieved

Awaiting the verdict: Ian Bell and Matt Prior look at the screen and learn that Bell is not out

Pray silence please: Ian Bell's century was greeted by Aussie indifference and boos

At the time he was on 67 and was finally out for 115.

And Hughes insisted: 'Phillip Hughes is not a cheat. He wasn’t sure, (wicketkeeper Brad) Haddin wasn’t sure and we made that clear to the umpire.

'It’s tough and that’s why we have the technology and I think it worked in that particular situation.

'I’d like it to be 100 per cent right but not many things in the world are and I think it should be 100 per cent used or not used at all.'

World No. 1 Test team India had so far refused to allow umpire referrals while other countries have pointed to lack of funds for not doing so.

Hughes also rejected claims Australian players refused to applaud Bell's century in protest, adding: 'I can guarantee that I clapped and I’m sure that the guys did to.

'We thought there was an inside edge, the technology said there wasn’t. I don’t think he’s a cheat.

'I don’t think anyone would refer a decision if they thought they had hit it. I think Ian wasn’t sure.'